[Buddha-l] Tibetan Buddhist meditation

[Joy Vriens]

Hi Margaret,

>There are many, many Tibetan meditation systems. Some are highly complex. 
>Some are very simple. Likewise with all the teachings and practices (in 
>Tibetan Buddhism). I've known some Westerners who absolutely revel in 
>complexity and complication and love that aspect of their Vajrayana 
>practice. I know others who have very simple and direct Vajrayana 
>practice. You can take your pick. 

One can always pick, that was not my point. But the self stated objective of Vajrayana and the method to reach it is complex. If one wants to reach the objective of the Higher Yoga Tantras that Vajrayana has set for Vajrayana, then one will have to go through the complex teachings and practices and belief systems that come with those. If one is satisfied with lesser objectives (the common objectives of theravada and mahayana schools), then one can pick those. My own view on all this is different, but if you follow the view of Tibetan texts and teachers on this and providing you go quite far (not necessarily "deep", but "far") then complexity is what you will find.
 
>I don't really know what 'compatibility with the modern Western world' 
>means. The 'modern Western world' is not monolithic. Nor is it simple (as 
>in not-complex). But as with Vajrayana, you can simplify your bit of 
>it--if you want. 

Well if you dig in the history of the tantra systems that were transmitted to Tibet, then you will find how interweaved they were with the general social, historical and religious context of India. E.g. if you read about the origins and goals of the bindu-sadhana (laya yoga) and bhutasiddhi (gtum mo) systems (and all the ritual mortgage and samaya obligations that come with those) that play such an important role in the what Vajrayana considers to be highest realisation, then you may wonder: 
a) whether all this is really necessary for full awakening, especially when you compare it with the methods of the other Buddhist schools 
b) if it is suitable for the Western world that is not-monolithic (granted) and already saturated with its own realities and virtual realities etc.

One has of course always the choice to be a dilettante ;-) and pick whatever one likes, but officially when one takes refuge and develops bodhicitta, one promises to achieve full buddhahood for the sake of all sentient beings. Full Buddhahood in Tibetan Buddhism is only possible through the complex path. If on top of that one receives a tantric initiation, then one has entered the path of complexity. 

Joy